Method of inhibiting token generation in an open metering system

Abstract

A method is provided for inhibiting the generation of digital tokens in an open metering system that includes a host processor and a vault. The method includes the steps of generating in the host processor a first digital token request that corresponds to a first destination identifier and a first postage amount; determining in the host processor if one of the first destination identifier and the first postage amount is different than a prior destination identifier and a prior postage mount, respectively, that correspond to an immediately preceding digital token request; sending the first digital token request to the vault when the first destination identifier and the first postage amount are different than the prior destination identifier and the prior postage amount, respectively; and rejecting the first digital token request when the first destination identifier and the first postage amount are the same as the prior destination identifier and the prior postage amount, respectively. The method includes the further steps of notifying a user when the first destination identifier and the first postage amount are the same as the prior destination identifier and the prior postage amount; providing the user with a capability to confirm that the first digital token request is valid; and sending the first digital token request to the vault when the user confirms that the first digital token request is valid.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of inhibiting issuance of digital tokens in an open metering system comprising a host processor and a vault, the method comprising the steps of: requesting indicia through user interface means operatively coupled to the host processor, said request for indicia including a first destination identifier and a first postage amount;   generating in the host processor a first digital token request, said first digital token request corresponding to the first destination identifier and the first postage amount;   determining in the host processor if one of the first destination identifier and the first postage amount is different than a prior destination identifier and a prior postage amount, respectively, that correspond to an immediately preceding digital token request;   sending the first digital token request to the vault when the first destination identifier and the first postage amount are different than the prior destination identifier and the prior postage amount, respectively; and   rejecting in the host processor the first digital token request when the first destination identifier and the first postage amount are the same as the prior destination identifier and the prior postage amount, respectively, whereby the transmission of the first digital token request from the host processor to the vault and the generation of the first digital token are inhibited.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 including the further steps of: providing a notification message that the first destination identifier and the first postage amount are the same as the prior destination identifier and the prior postage amount;   displaying said notification message through said user interface means when the first destination identifier and the first postage amount are the same as the prior destination identifier and the prior postage amount;   providing the user with a capability to confirm through said user interface means that the first digital token request is valid; and   sending the first digital token request to the vault when the user confirms that the first digital token request is valid.   
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 including the further step of: inhibiting in the host processor the generation of the first digital token request if the first destination identifier and the first postal amount are not valid.   
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3 including the further step of: sending an error message to the user that the destination identifier or the postal amount are not valid;   displaying said error message through said user interface means.   
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 comprising the further steps of: rejecting the first digital token request if the postage amount or the destination postal code is not valid;   comparing the postage amount with a postage limit amount and available postage funds stored in the vault; and   rejecting the first digital token request if the postage amount exceeds the postage limit amount or the available postage funds.   
     
     
       6. A method of inhibiting issuance of digital tokens in an open metering system comprising a host processor and a vault, the method comprising the steps of: generating in the host processor a first digital token request, said first digital token request corresponding to a first destination identifier and a first postage amount;   sending the first digital token request to the vault;   determining in the vault if one of the first destination identifier and the first postage amount is different than a prior destination identifier and a prior postage amount, respectively, that correspond to an immediately preceding digital token request;   generating a first digital token in response to the first digital token request to the vault when the first destination identifier and the first postage amount are different than the prior destination identifier and the prior postage amount, respectively; and   rejecting in the vault the first digital token request when the first destination identifier and the first postage amount are the same as the prior destination identifier and the prior postage amount, respectively, whereby the generation of the first digital token is inhibited.   
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6 including the further steps of: sending a reject signal from the vault to the PC;   displaying a message on a display of the PC, the message notifying a user when the first destination identifier and the first postage amount are the same as the prior destination identifier and the prior postage amount;   providing the user with a capability to respond to the message to confirm that the first digital token request is valid;   sending the confirmation to the vault when the user confirms that the first digital token request is valid; and   calculating in the vault a first digital token when the confirmation is received.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 6 including the further step of: inhibiting in the vault the generation of the first digital token request if the first destination identifier and the first postal amount are not valid.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 8 including the further step of: sending an error message to the user that the destination identifier or the postal amount are not valid.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 6 comprising the further steps of: rejecting the digital token request if the postage amount or the destination postal code is not valid;   comparing the postage amount with a postage limit amount and available postage funds stored in the vault; and   rejecting the digital token request if the postage amount exceeds the postage limit amount or the available postage funds.